State Wars Roller Hockey Championships coming to St. Peters Rec-Plex
December 21, 2011
St. Peters, MO
The St. Peters Rec-Plex will be the center of the roller hockey world as thousands of the best roller hockey players in the United States and Canada will travel here next August for State Wars 8, a two-week battle to decide the United States Roller Hockey Championships. State Wars Hockey will host the annual summer event from Aug. 1-12, 2012, at the Rec-Plex’s three indoor NHL-size ice rinks.
“We welcome the State Wars Roller Hockey Championships to St. Peters,” said St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano. “When we built the St. Peters Rec-Plex in 1994, our goal was to have a world-class facility. We accomplished that goal and have been able to bring some of the best athletes in the world to our community. It’s gratifying to know that people across the country continue to recognize what an outstanding facility we have in St. Peters.”
Based on last year’s State Wars competition in Cincinnati, more than 250 teams of up to 10 players per team, plus family members, are expected to come to St. Peters for State Wars 8. This influx of thousands of visitors over two weeks will help boost sales at area hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, potentially adding several million dollars to the local economy.
State Wars Hockey representatives said that the St. Louis area is a great location for the event, especially with Missouri being very rich in hockey talent. "The Rec-Plex is a top-notch facility and the surrounding areas along with downtown St. Louis offer so much for the families coming to State Wars. We look for State Wars 8 to be our biggest and best ever," said National Director Greg Thompson.
State Wars Hockey National Director Tim McManus said that this will mark the first time that State Wars will be held in Missouri, and the buzz around the country already has been incredible.
"We are so excited to be bringing State Wars to the St. Peters Rec-Plex this summer. I have always thought that the St. Louis area would be a great place for State Wars, but of course we needed the right facility. We have found that with the St. Peters Rec-Plex. I know that our teams will be very impressed with this gorgeous facility and surrounding areas." McManus said.
Players are selected to represent their home state or province to compete at State Wars and a chance to win a national championship. Competition will take place in 18 different divisions with varying age groups.
Team Missouri coach Todd Johnson said, "I told Tim (McManus) a year or two ago to take a look at the Rec-Plex, as I knew it would be the perfect spot for State Wars. The players all want to play on full-size NHL rinks, and the Rec-Plex has three of them. Plus, St. Louis is an easy place to get to from all over the country and has so much to offer."
All three NHL-size Rec-Plex rinks will host events for State Wars VIII. Two of the rinks are at the newer Rec-Plex South facility, including an ice arena that seats up to 1,200 people, and one rink is at the original Rec-Plex building. The Rec-Plex is located at 5200 Mexico Rd.
Learn more about the St. Peters Rec-Plex online at www.stpetersmo.net.
Learn more about the United States Roller Hockey Championships online at www.statewarshockey.com.
From the City of St. Peters, MO
Copyright 2011 Neighbors About Town
